CPC Warns Discos Against Abuse Of Electricity Consumers

The Consumer Protection Council (CPC) has warned that it would not fold its hands and watch electricity distribution companies (Discos) in Nigeria rip off their consumers . The Council said crazy electricity billing and group disconnection of electricity by the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) and others in the distribution value chain amount to gross abuse of electricity consumers within the country. Director-general, CPC, Mr Babatunde Irukera , said this at a town hall meeting with the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) , their consumers ,and electricity regulatory agencies at the Bwari area council of Abuja. Irukera said a situation where the Discos connect their balance sheet to an opaque arbitrary metering system was the worst form of abuse, especially for an essential public utility, noting that consumers’ complaints have not been primarily about supply, but about billing for non-existent supply. According to him, a vast majority of supply complaint was attributed to the fact that the Discos were asking consumers to pay for something that was not supplied, adding that it has gotten to a point where no one takes their bills seriously anymore because they were considered outrageous. He further noted. that the pressure on metering would not be so bad if the estimated billing was more transparent and reasonable. He also expressed worry that the Discos don’t have a good complaint resolution process.